the Coconis furniture story
In 1915 at the age of 17, Nick Coconis immigrated to America from a small island near Greece.
He stowed away on a merchant vessel bound for America. Shortly after being discovered, he worked as a shipmate to pay for his passage across the Atlantic. Nick arrived at Ellis Island, NY with only minimal possessions, but he had a great desire to pursue the American dream. Today you can find his name inscribed on The American Immigrant Wall of Honor on Ellis Island.
Nick Coconis
Stella Coconis
Upon his arrival in America, Nick first settled in East Liverpool, OH where he worked and then later opened a small restaurant. It was in East Liverpool that Nick met the woman he would marry, Stella Prout, also a German immigrant herself. When able, Nick sent money back home to Greece so that his younger brother and sister could join him in America. Shortly after his brother and sister’s arrival to America, Nick turned the restaurant business over to his brother.
Nick and his wife Stella then moved to Zanesville, OH and in 1927 opened a small second hand furniture store on Main St. named the Zanesville Furniture Company.
After World War II Nick’s sons, Paul and Don Coconis began working in the furniture business and the name was changed to Hallmark Furniture. In 1953 a new store location was built in South Zanesville. Several years later Paul’s sons Paul Jr. and Randy joined the business. The store remained in business until 1960 when it was converted for a short time to a restaurant called the Burger House.
Furniture Discount House commercials featuring Paul Coconis
In 1963 the furniture business was reopened under the name “Furniture Discount House.” Two decades later the store name was finally changed to “Coconis Furniture.”
In 1972 Randy Coconis began working for his father in the Zanesville, Ohio-based family furniture business full time just out of high school. He began his career on the delivery truck and then moved into sales and eventually into management. Due to a sudden, serious illness that his father suffered, Randy began managing the store in 1981. Five years later, after his father’s passing, he and his brother “Paul Jr.” became owners.
Coconis Furniture - South Zanesville, OH
Coconis Furniture - Heath, OH
Coconis Mattress 1st & La-Z-Boy - North Zanesville, OH
Coconis Furniture & Mattress 1st - Lancaster, OH
Ashley - South Zanesville, OH
Today, Randy is proud to have his two sons, Chad and Kyle (Bo) involved in the family business, making them the fourth generation who are innovating and growing the company. Coconis Furniture attributes its success to the dedicated help and enthusiasm of its many valued employees, some of whom have been with the company for over twenty years.
Chad, Randy, and Bo Coconis
Awards and Recognition
Coconis Furniture was proudly voted as National Retailer of the Year by the NHFA for their outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to the community, and personal business achievements. NHFA’s prestigious Retailer of the Year Award is presented annually at the Spring High Point Market Furniture Industry Awards Gala.
In 2011, Randy received the prestigious Dick Johnson Community Service Award presented by the Muskingum County Community Foundation.
Giving Back
In his hometown of Zanesville, Ohio, Randy and the Coconis Family sponsors and is involved in many community activities and charity organizations such as The Muskingum Valley Red Cross, Sertoma and Autism charities including the local annual “Tee It Up Fore Autism” golf outing held each June. He also participates in local recycling centers and disaster victim relief donations. Randy is also the founder of the Coconis Family Endowment Fund established with the Muskingum County Community Foundation.
